Thursday, February 28, 2013

I hate the term DIEt, it is a word that has many negative
connotations associated with it and to some it is synonymous with the words
starvation and struggle.

When you decide to lose weight, tone up or eat healthier the
best way to think about it is by associating it with a lifestyle change and
healthier choices rather than a gruelling fad diet that is less likely to bring
about positive results.

The My Fitness Pal App may seem like a tiresome counting
calories tool at first glance but it isn’t. Counting
calories may not sound like fun but this fitness app goes a lot further than
merely counting calories. Even if weight loss is not your main objective and
you just want to improve your eating habits then this app can help.

What you can
use the program for:

Weight loss and identifying
poor eating habits:

For weight loss this app is useful because it helps you put
your eating habits in blatant perspective. When you start reading labels,
tracking what you eat and how much you are eating it is a real eye opener. If
you have gained weight or if you have unhealthy eating habits and are unable to
lose weight then this app will show you if your meals are the culprit.

The foods the average person consumes especially while
eating out have tons of hidden calories, sugar, fat and a lot of sodium. Even
some low fat items may be loaded with sugar to compensate for lack of flavour.

How to get the App:

Although there is a free app for this program on smart
phones and tablets you can also download it to a desktop computer for free.

Getting started and setting
goals:

Once you get the app you will have to begin by setting
goals. The app will ask you to input your current weight, your goal weight and
how much weight you would like to lose. The app will then suggest how many
calories you should be consuming in order to achieve your goal weight. You can
adjust you calorie intake at any time if your goals change.

Recording your calories:

Once you have set your goals you can begin recording.
Recording what you eat and how many calories you eat is actually rather easy
with this app. Most of the foods you buy at the grocery store have serving size
information on the back and how many calories the food is per serving. The app
also has a search option that includes many grocery store and restaurant food
items that will come up when you search.

If the food you are eating does not come up (for instance a
certain brand of cereal) you can add the food yourself directly from the
information on the back of the box and store it under the “my foods” category
for the next time you eat it.

Nutritional Information:

One of my favourite things about this app is that it tells you
how much carbohydrates, fat, protein, sugar and salt you consume and you can
adjust these categories online based on what you would like to track. On the
homepage of the app there is also a “see nutrients” button which allows you to
see a more thorough break down of your daily nutrients.

Creating meals:

The app will also allow you to create and save meals which
are helpful if you eat the same foods frequently. This feature saves time so
you can easily pull up your meals and add them to your food diary without
having to input the foods again.

The app will also bring up your frequently eaten foods and
meals for all of the categories: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and it
will allow you to record how much water you drink throughout the day.

Exercise:

Working out is also important in maintaining a healthy
lifestyle and if you are burning calories you should also be eating more. The
app has a section where you can add your workouts so that when you burn
calories the app will automatically add the calories you burn to your daily
caloric allowance.

Tracking your Progress:

The app will track your progress and give you an estimated
weight loss based on your daily food intake. It will also show your progress by
allowing you to add the pounds you have lost and track them on a graph.

Keeping you Motivated:

If you have trouble staying on track with your healthy
lifestyle you can join this program with your friends or family. The app will
allow you to send messages to each other, check each other’s daily food diaries,
and see how much your friend has worked out. If you or your friends have not
logged in for a while the app will display a note urging you to send messages
of encouragement to each other.

Your friends will be able to see your progress but they will
not be able to see how much you weigh.

If you do not want to join with others you can do the
program by yourself and your profile will remain private.

Success: Our
Stories

Amanda’s experience:

I have lost 50 pounds and counting with the help of this
app. I have been using it for over a year and a half and it has trained me to
become a good judge of how many calories and fat many foods contain, so that
most days I can keep track of what I eat without having to use the app.

It does become tiresome after a while, but I always return
to it when I’ve stopped using it and feel like I have gained some unwanted
pounds as it has proven to be very useful.

The online version should be updated and the tools for
searching, adding and editing foods should be improved. The online version is
less user friendly than the app.

My experience:

I think this app is great at putting our meals in
perspective. It helps teach proper serving sizes and helps you learn to
distribute your calories wisely and make the most of your meals.

I think the food database could be a bit more extensive to
include more brands and it would be easier if the app converted measurement for
you so that you know exactly how many grams of rice is in a cup or how many grams
is in a cup of cooked pasta because sometime food packages give you the
information for the foods before they are cooked.

I also think the app has the ability to be a bit addictive
and I do think that people should use the app but not become obsessed over
everything they eat. It is great to use the app to track meals and calories but
you should not let tracking calories consume you to the point where you cannot
go out and enjoy a meal without worrying about exceeding your limit. People
should understand that there will be times when you eat a bit more poorly or
that when you do have a slice of cake it isn’t the end of the world and it is
okay to indulge once in a while.

I have lost 16 pounds using this app.
I began using it after I got back from two cruises in a 3 month span and hadn't been eating very healthy. I lost all the weight I gained on the cruise and I
will keep using the app because I like that it encourages me to eat proper
portions, more nutritious food and I can track my goal of drinking more water.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Dos and Don’ts of Traveling,
What to Pack in your Carry-on Luggage

When most of us travel we are usually thinking about the fun
that is ahead and the much needed rest and relaxation that is in store for us.
But how many of us consider the possibility of our luggage not arriving at our
destination with us?

There is nothing worse that visiting the luggage carousel at
the baggage claim and not seeing your bags but this is something that occurs regularly.

I had this unfortunate experience on my last trip to Phoenix
and Vegas and I was without my suit case for almost 3 days.

This post is about being prepared for the possibility of
lost or delayed luggage.

What to
keep on you:

The first thing I should mention is to make sure all
important documents are on you at all times. Most airlines allow you to carry
one small personal item such as a backpack, a small bag or a purse in addition to your carry-on bag. Documents
such as ID, credit cards, health insurance policy cards, Visa, passports, money, airline tickets, and
hotel, car and other reservations you have made should be with you at all times
and NOT packed in your checked baggage.

Also make sure to have your baggage claim tickets on you.
These are provided when you check your luggage in before your flight. These
tags will allow the airline to link your missing or delayed bags to you and may
also help them track your bags.

Electronics:

The first items I would suggest packing in your carry-on in
case of a mishap with your checked baggage are any electronic devices you may
need. These include cell phones, I pads, Lap tops, e-readers, cameras and any
other expensive devices that you do not want to lose. It is also handy to take all the batteries,
chargers and cords for these devices in your carry-on bag as well.

Medication:

If you have any personal medication that you must take
regularly then make sure to pack them in your carry-on bag. I don’t take any prescription medication but I
do carry a bottle of Advil on me just in case I or someone traveling with me
needs pain medication.

Valuables:

I would never suggest packing valuable items such as jewelry in your checked luggage. If you want to take such items carry them in your carry-on or personal bag so
you can keep tabs on them at all times otherwise I would suggest leaving them
at home.

Make sure to use the safe when you arrive at your
destination hotel if one is provided to lock up any expensive jewelry or
electronic devices.

Clothing and extra clothing in your carry-on:

When you are travelling make sure to wear comfortable
clothes and shoes especially on longer flights.

If you must attend an important meeting or event upon your
arrival at your destination I would suggest packing an extra change of clothes
and shoes in your carry-on suitable for the occasion, plus another outfit for
every day wear. Even if you do not have any special events to attend if your
luggage is lost or if the bags are delayed you may be without them for a few
days so pack at least two extra outfits suitable for the climate you will be
in. Include undergarments and socks for a few days.

Personal
items:

You can always purchase a few toiletries when you reach your
destination providing that you are in a country that sells your preferred
brands. I like to avoid the hassle and pack a few essential items such as:

A toothbrush

A travel size tooth paste

A travel size deodorant

Bar soap

Small bottle of cream

Small bottle of hand santizer

And you can also bring small travel bottles of other liquids
you may need and pack them in a small ziplock clear plastic bag.

There are restrictions on liquids at airport security so
make sure you adhere to the guidelines. There are also other security restrictions so make sure you are aware of them if you do not want certain items to be confiscated.

Makeup:

Ladies if you can go without makeup then more power to you
but if you have blemishes, dark circles ect and you want to look fresh the next
day then I would suggest packing your essential makeup items in your carry-on.

When my luggage was sent off without me and I was stuck
without my bags I was very happy to have my makeup with me because no matter
how tired and miserable I felt without all my things I looked fresh and awake.
I didn't have to sleep in 3 day old makeup and walk around looking like I got
hit by a bus because I had everything I needed. If you have liquid foundations
put them in a ziplock bag. I also take a small pack of makeup wipes in my carry-on so
I can clean my face at night.

Identifying
your luggage:

In case your suit case is lost or delayed I would also
highly suggest writing down all of your contact information on a piece of paper
in clear legible handwriting and putting that right on top of all the items in
the luggage you are planning to check in. This way if the luggage ID tag on the
outside of your bag comes off you will have this back up sheet on the inside and
the airline will be able to return your bags.

On the sheet include:

-Your first and last name

-Your home and cell phone number

- Your home address

-Your email

I would also suggest making a note or having a good idea of
what you have in your baggage in case you have to make a lost baggage claim. The
more detailed you are the better.

Damaged
baggage:

Luckily for me my suit case was located and sent to my hotel
but it was damaged beyond repair. My suit case was expensive and I had only
used it 3 times prior so I was very disappointed in the state it was returned.

Make sure when you get your baggage whether it be at the
airport in baggage claim or when they return your lost or delayed bags that you
inspect the luggage before leaving the airport and make a damaged bag claim if
need be.

I hope this post was helpful and that you consider being
prepared for all possibilities while traveling.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I am going to come clean and confess that among
loving all makeup I have a slight obsession with eye shadow. My love of eye
shadow began back in Junior High and since then I have been experimenting nonstop
with different looks and techniques. Needless to say I was very excited to try out these eye shadows by Urban Decay.

Versatility

The Naked palettes by Urban Decay are very popular and have become a staple in many Beauty Guru's makeup collections including my own. These palettes are very versatile with a combination of beautiful shimmery shades and subtle matte shades that can create gorgeous looks for every occasion.

Many women tend to over pack when traveling and if you are anything like me then narrowing down what makeup items get to board the plane with you is a small feat.The Naked 2 is the palette I tend to grab when I go on vacation or weekend getaways because it can replace many of my other palettes and it can create soft day looks, as well as sultry looks for a night out. For more info on how to pack makeup for travel please click HERE

Naked 1 vs Naked 2 the reviews:

My Naked 2 palette

The original Naked palette

The Naked palette contains warmer, darker and more neutral tones and the women who seem to favor this palette are women with medium to dark complexions.

The Naked 2 palette has cooler
colors, that are a bit lighter but still rather neutral and it seems to be a favorite among women with medium to lighter complexions. Both palettes however compliments a wide range of skin tones which makes them both a great purchase.

The palettes are $60 each and you receive 12 shades with quite a lot of shadow per slot. They are nicely pigmented, and when paired with the Urban Decay Primer Potion the shadows pack a bold punch of color and lasts all day without creasing.

Differences in packaging:

photos from Sephora.ca

I prefer the packaging of the Naked 2 because it has a hard
sturdy outer shell that appears more durable especially for travelling. The
first Naked palette has a soft suede like exterior that has a reputation for
becoming quite dirty and difficult to keep clean.

The Naked 2 also has a larger mirror which is ideal for doing makeup on the go, however I do prefer the magnetic snap closure on the first palette which seems less fragile.

Deciding between palettes

If you don't want to purchase both palettes then the best way to decide between them is to head to your local Sephora and swatch them both. It really comes down to personal preference since both palettes
can flatter all skin tones.

The colors

In the Naked 2 I like the range of
neutral blending colors like Tease (5th from the left) which works well to blend into the crease as well as the darker crease color called Busted (second from the right). I also like that
there are beautiful highlight colors such as Foxy (1st on the left), for a matte brow bone
highlight as well as Bootycall (3rd from the left) and Verve (4th from the right) for inner corner highlighting.

The
matte black is a nice addition to the palette because it can darken up any of
the colors, add definition to the crease and can be used damp for seductive smokey looks.

All the shimmery
colors are great for all over lid use or to highlight the brow bone. The only color present in both palettes is Half Baked (2nd from the left), which is a beautiful gold color and my favorite shade in the palette. I would have liked to see the color Naked in the first palette repeated in the second but you can purchase many of these colors separately.

Pairing with other palettes

The Naked 2 Palette also works well paired with other eye shadow palettes because the colors compliment other hues. Here is a look I did using the gold color Half Baked with a coral color from Inglot.

The brush:

I was disappointed in the brush that came with the
palette. One side is a flat eye shadow brush for all over lid application and
the other side is a blending brush made with synthetic material. The brush is not fluffy and soft which would have made for easier blending and application; instead the bristles feel more like plastic and don't have much flexibility.

The lip gloss:

I would have preferred the primer potion that came with the
Naked 1 palette instead of the small lip gloss. The gloss is very transparent and a tad sticky.

If you haven't gotten your hands on these palettes yet I would definitely recommend heading to your local Spehora to check them out.

Monday, February 25, 2013

There are many facial cleansing systems on the market these
days, but not all of them are equally as effective. I have been interested in getting a cleansing system for
some time now because exfoliation no longer works well for me. For some reason
my skin has changed in that it is now more sensitive to certain ingredients and
sensitive to any abrasive cleansing, certain devices and facial scrubs. Although
my skin has become more sensitive I still want the deepest clean possible and I want my skin
looking its best.

Pros

*The device is very small which makes it easy to store and convenient
for traveling.

*The price for the device is only $29.99 which is very
affordable.

*The brush heads are incredibly soft which makes it great
for sensitive skin as it does not cause irritation.

*Olay recommends that you use their cleansers with this
device but it works well with most facial cleansers.

*The device is water proof so it can be used it in the
shower.

Cons:

* The biggest issue I have with this device is that it is
not rechargeable. It takes 2 double A batteries which you will have to keep
replacing as long as you have the device. Since I use the device for only a
few minutes before bedtime and batteries are cheap it doesn't affect the fact
that I like the product.

*The product comes in white which isn't the best color when
you are trying to clean and remove makeup. I’m the kind of person that likes aesthetically
pleasing things so I would have liked the option of choosing from a few more
colors.

* The device has two speeds and I would have preferred at
least 3 speeds. I also do not think the highest speed setting is quite fast
enough but it is still very effective.

*The device comes with an Olay exfoliating cleanser in a
small sample size. I did not like the cleanser it came with because the exfoliating
beads were a bit too abrasive in combination with the rotating motion of the
brush head and I did not like that the cleanser did not really foam up or coat
my entire face.

*The device does not come with a pouch to carry it in or a
holder to rest it in which I think would have been very handy to have.

My overall impression:

I would definitely recommend this product to people who want
a good cleansing device. The device has some small faults but it does what it
claims and I like how smooth and clean it leaves my skin.

The Bellagio hotel is one of my favorite hotels on the strip. The Lobby of the hotel is colorful and beautiful. Like many hotels there is a vast array of shops, hotels and casinos for your enjoyment and entertainment. I would recommend taking the time to stroll around the grounds and enjoy the sights.

The Bellagio Conservatory is another must see stop in Vegas. The conservatory is open 24 hours a day and boasts a beautiful array of lights and flowers which coincide with certain festivals throughout the year. We were there during the Chinese New Year display which was aromatic and colorful.

If you want to do some shopping while in Vegas then the Forum Shops are a nice way to do it. This mall has high end as well as more conventional and affordable shops and the decor is designed to make you feel like you are walking through an outdoor city.

The Venetian not only looks like a portion of Italy along the strip but you can actually take a gondola ride through the faux rivers around the hotel. The ride cost about $19 dollars per person for a 10-15 min ride.

If you want to check out some free shows while in Vegas then check out the treasure Island hotel. The Sirens of TI show is free and right on the street. It includes a fire display, dancing, fireworks and a sinking ship!

Senior Frogs restaurant is also located in the Treasure Island hotel and they frequently hand out drink coupons and play good music so check that out while you are there. The restaurant is also equipped with a pretty lively dance floor.

Paris in Vegas:

If you are like me and you haven't yet been to the "city of love" then you have a chance to visit a smaller version of Paris.

You've seen this sign in countless movies and videos so why not stop by and take a photo in front of the sign while in the city. The sign is located on the very far South end of the strip right before you get to Mandalay Bay and all the other major hotels.

The Fashion outlets of Las Vegas:

This mall is a great place to shop if you are looking for a wide range of fashion.

This hotel is one of the first hotels you will see on the South end of the strip. This hotel is massive so if you want to see it be prepared to walk a lot. The hotel also has an aquarium attraction and shark tank which costs about $40 dollars per person.

Transportation and how to get around Vegas:

The way we chose to get around Vegas was by renting a car. We actually drove from Phoenix into Nevada through the desert which was a very scenic drive that I would recommend if you have the time and if you are flying into Phoenix, if not here are some other modes of transportation.

On Foot:

The best way to see the strip is to stay centrally located
and walk but keep in mind that there is a lot of walking if you decide to do
the entire strip by foot. The strip is aprox one mile not including the long
walks through each of the massively impressive hotels, so be prepared to give
your legs a workout and wear comfortable shoes.

FREE trams:

There are three free trams that run along the strip and will help cut down on your walking time.

1. One tram connects Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur hotel
that are located at the South end of the strip.

2. The other tram connects Bellagio, City Center and Monte
Carlo in the Middle of the strip.

3.The third tram connects the Mirage Hotel to Treasure Island
which is also in the middle of the strip.

The Monorail:

The monorail costs $12 per person for a one day pass and longer
passes are also available for an additional cost. This rail will take you from
MGM Grand at the South end of the strip all the way to Sahara at the North end
of the strip. With this option you can stop off at all the hotels along the way.

The Duce bus:

The Duce is a shuttle bus that runs along the strip and goes
from one end to the other. The daily rate is $8 per person per day or $16
dollars for a two day pass. The stops are located at the corner of almost all
hotels along the strip and the buses are almost always jam packed with travelers so don`t expect a comfortable seat to be available very often.

The Wax:

The Wax which is the West Airport Xress bus will take you
from the side of the Tropicana Hotel to the airport. You can use the Duce pass
card to also take the WAX bus. If your hotel does not have a free shuttle and
you do not have a car then taxis can be costly. .

NOTE: (using the Duce and WAX to get to the airport) the bus and shuttle drivers may not give you the most reliable and cost effective methods to get to the airport if you don`t have a car so here is one way.

-You can take the Duce from your hotel (if your hotel is on
the strip) then get off at New York New York Hotel and cross the street to the
Tropicanna hotel. At the side of the hotel there will be a bus stop for the WAX
which you can then take to the airport using one pass card.

Cabs:

There are an abundance of cabs located on the strip always
ready to take you where you need to go. Cab costs can add up if you are
travelling a lot.

Car Rentals:

There is a car rental terminal that is located 7 minutes
drive from the airport. If you book ahead of time car rentals can be quite affordable
and will allow you to travel further than the strip. Make sure you find out
about parking costs at your hotel. There is also a parking lot by the Fashion
Show Mall located by Treasure Island where you are able to park for free and
walk. There is also a lot in front of the Four Season Hotel on the South side
of the strip located behind the fast food restaurants where you can park for
free and then walk.

Note:

when booking your hotel make sure to check and see if there is a charge for a resort fee which some hotels do charge.

Food:

While in Vegas we didn't try many different restaurants but one of my favorite and which we ate at 3 times was Serendipity. Serendipity is located in front of Caesars Palace and is a famous restaurant that originated in New York City. The food was affordable and I liked
the variety especially for lunch and dinner. The desserts were wonderful and the portions are large. The restaurant is famous for their frozen hot
chocolate which comes in a variety of flavors. I would recommend the onion rings
with parmesan cheese, the pizza and the sandwiches

We also went to Margaritaville located in the Flamingo hotel.
The atmosphere in this restaurant is very casual and there are performances
while you dine. The food is good and they have a pretty good variety. I enjoyed the pasta and if you go with a large group I would definitely recommend trying
the volcano nachos and the brownie dessert with ice cream for sharing.

The Hoover Dam is located close to the border of Nevada and
Arizona. The terrain around the dam is beautiful and mountainous with rolling
desert hills. It is definitely worth the short trip to go see the dam and take
some photos.

We had planned on taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon which
is 4.5 hours away from Las Vegas but we ran into some snow squalls that made the
drive at a 5,000 feet elevation almost impossible. Instead we decided to go to
Red Rock Canyon which is about a 30 min drive from the strip and it was incredible! If you are going to Vegas and you have time for some sightseeing
this Canyon is a must see. The landscape is breathtaking and each turn on the
road that is cut through the canyon just gets better and better.

Fermont street is located in Downtown Las Vegas and the
street boasts a beautiful light show. There are bars and restaurants that are as
affordable as they come and portions of the street are canopied by a huge
screen which projects a colorful music display every few minutes. I would recommend
strolling down this street and having some dessert or a drink while you sit and
watch the lights light up the entire block.

Weather report

Since we chose to visit Vegas in February the weather was a bit chilly. The average temperature in the day was about 12-15 degrees Celsius and in the night it was about 3-8 degrees Celsius. There was also a snow storm in the desert and on the way to the Grand Canyon so we didn't make it there. I would recommend taking a warm jacket if you are going to visit during the cooler months and even equip yourself with a scarf and gloves for extra warmth. The good thing about travelling to Vegas at this time of the year is that there is less traffic both pedestrian and vehicle.

If you don't like the cooler weather then I would recommend traveling in the summer months when the temperature can get up to 25-38 degrees Celsius.

Safety:

Be aware of your surroundings and stick to the well lit and well populated tourist areas. I would also recommend that if you are planning on going downtown and to other areas not to carry important documentation such as passports and valuable items on you.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

In December 2012 my family and I decided to go on a cruise to escape the cold Toronto winter. I have always wanted to cruise aboard Princess Cruise Lines because I have read many good reviews and I expected excellence in service, food and amenities. They did deliver on some of my expectations but failed in other areas.

Fort Lauderdale

First we stayed in Fort Lauderdale which had nice beachs with lots of restaurants and shops.

Being Food Network fans we just had to stop at the Primanti Brothers restaurant for their famous pizza and sandwiches which were delicious. The pizza was good and they didn't skimp on the toppings but the sandwiches although tasty were a tad dry.

We also went to the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park and took a drive down to Las Olas which is a great area to go shopping or to stop for dinner.

Leaving the Port

The views leaving the Port of Fort Lauderdale were beautiful.

The Cruise:

As with many cruise lines there were good and bad aspects of our experience aboard the Caribbean Princess so lets begin with the good.

Ship Atrium
The atrium was also where the International cafe was located which was open 24 hours and had a variety of sandwiches, deserts, salads and coffee. During the day they had live performances in the atrium including magic shows and bands

The ship was decorated beautifully for Christmas and the party in the atrium complete with a balloon drop and Soca music was a lot of fun. However there were a lot of older people on this cruise unlike Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines so if you are looking for a younger more upbeat vibe then this may not be the cruise for you.

One of the things I loved the most about the ship was the back deck of the ship. The views from the back of the ship were beautiful and the pool was often the least crowded of the several they had on board. This was a great place to lounge during the day and have a drink.

Sky Walkers night club on the ship was one of the nicest designed night clubs I have seen on the seas thus far. The club is situated on the highest floor of the ship and hovers above the water boasting panoramic views of the ocean.

To access the club you must take the moving walkway enclosed in glass which takes you high above the ship's decks and into the night club. The only bad thing about this club is that it seems wasted on the older population aboard the ship. Most nights the night club was quite quiet and there weren't many people there. If you cruise with a group of people you can have a good time at this club otherwise the atmosphere is quite boring and the music is a bit old school.

Movies under the stars at night outside on the deck was a nice way to spend part of the evening. Staff came around to provide warm blankets and popcorn and the movies they screened were quite recent.

The ship does have an adult only area called the Sanctuary which is not included in the price of the cruise and which you can enjoy for an additional fee.

The theater on the ship was nice and the shows were very upbeat and entertaining. I enjoyed them more than the Carnival musicals which seem very repetitive. The singers and dancers were quite young and very talented.

Other aspects of the ship that I liked included afternoon tea, the pizza and ice cream bar, the lounges, trivia games and deck space

Princess Cays

The first stop on the cruise was a private Island called Princess Cays which is owned by Princess Cruise Lines. Princess Cays is located in the Bahamas and it has beautiful beaches. The cruise ship provided a barbecue lunch although the food wasn't very good and we had to eat aboard the ship.

Curacao

The next stop on the cruise was Curacao which I was very excited to see. Curacao was my favorite stop on the cruise. The town was very colorful and pretty, the beach was nice and the town had a great night life. I loved the live Latin music, the outdoor patios and the famous blue Curacao liquor. Curacao is an island I would like to visit again to spend more time at the beaches and more time enjoying the night life. The only issue we had here was that it was difficult to navigate the roads. We rented a car and the street signs and roadways were a bit tricky.

Aruba

The last stop on the cruise was Aruba. Aruba is a beautiful island with great beaches and many local markets. I enjoyed the interesting architecture and the numerous tourist stands outside of the cruise port. On one side of the island you will find the most populated beaches, restaurants and a chain of hotels. On the other end of the island it is rather quiet with lots of cacti and beaches that had rougher water and a lot of garbage and debris. I would definitely recommend staying on the tourist side of the island. Even though I liked Aruba I expected a bit more out of the island itself.

Over all the cruise was a lot of fun, the stops were all beautiful and I would consider visiting all the islands again in the future.

The biggest downside with Princess Cruises was the food. The food was bland and void of flavor and many dishes were extremely salty. There weren't many dishes I actually enjoyed on the cruise and I had to pre-order special meals in the dining room because I did not care for the menu options. The staff were very accommodating with the menu substitutions but even then the food wasn't very good and I found myself eating the same few things almost every day. The Pizza was by far the best thing I ate on this ship along with the sandwiches at the International Cafe but aside from that none of the food impressed me.

The service on the ship was rather good, the staff was very friendly, the amenities were rather standard although this ship did have a couple more pools. The design of the ship was nice, the colors were neutral and the ship layout was very convenient.

Celebrity Cruises has had the best tasting food thus far compared to the other cruise lines I have been on.